Share this @internewscast.com

Missouri authorities have recovered human remains investigators believe belong to a man who has been missing for a decade, after a local YouTuber led them to the area.

Almost 10 years to the day after Army veteran Donnie Erwin disappeared in December 2013, freelance videographer and drone pilot James Hinkle located at the bottom of a pond in Camden County a car whose license plate matched that of the missing man’s Hyundai Elantra.

Detectives brought divers and cadaver dogs to search the area until, on Sunday morning, they managed to recover human remains along with an artificial hip that appeared to be Erwin’s.

“While a forensic pathologist will have to examine the remains to determine for certain if they are indeed those of Mr. Erwin, investigators are confident the hip and remains belong to him,” the Camden County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a news release.

Hinkle runs the YouTube channel Echo Divers, self-described as a scuba diving search and recovery team that helps law enforcement and family members work on missing persons cases. He said his interest in these cases began in 1991, when a young woman was abducted from his hometown.

“I’m now at a point in my life that I can volunteer to help others search for their missing loved ones,” Hinkle said. “As the father of a U.S. Marine, I strongly believe that we should serve those who served for us. When I found out that Donnie was a veteran and lived an hour and a half from my home in Clinton, Missouri, I knew I could help with the search.”

He uploaded several videos this year documenting his search for the missing veteran. In April, he shared on YouTube that he used sonar to confirm there was a small car submerged in a Camden County pond.

Hinkle told NBC News he had been flying a drone to retrace the route Erwin likely traveled the morning he went missing, checking any deep valleys, ravines or small ponds in which a car may be hiding. He had reached the second-to-last location in his search plan when he spotted the vehicle, at which point he contacted the land owner and made arrangements to search the property.

In another short YouTube video uploaded earlier this month, Hinkle filmed himself kayaking to the middle of the pond where the car appeared to be.

“It is confirmed. That is the vehicle,” a diver appears to say in the video after emerging from the water.

Erwin’s sister, Yvonne Erwin-Bowen, posted in the Facebook group FIND DONNIE ERWIN that the sheriff’s office notified her on Christmas morning about having recovered Erwin’s potential remains.

“It’s with joy and yet sadness that today, I received the call I’ve been waiting for for almost 10 years,” Erwin-Bowen wrote Monday, adding, “God’s will is done. And I am so very grateful to him for bringing my brother home.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Authorities investigating large fire after explosion at East Texas oil well near Nacogdoches Tuesday morning

Authorities Launch Investigation into Major Blaze Following Explosion at East Texas Oil Well Near Nacogdoches

An explosion at a natural gas or oil well site in Texas…
DOJ arrests man accused of providing gun used by father who allegedly killed eight children

DOJ Arrests Suspect for Supplying Gun in Tragic Shooting of Eight Children

The Department of Justice revealed on Tuesday the arrest of a 56-year-old…
CTA Chicago news: Riders react to CTA plan replacing security guards with police officers

CTA Chicago’s Bold Move: How Replacing Security Guards with Police Officers is Sparking Rider Reactions

In a bid to enhance passenger security, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)…
Mexico to beef up security at tourist sites after shooting at pyramids in lead up to World Cup

Mexico Enhances Tourist Site Security Ahead of World Cup: Measures Tightened After Pyramids Shooting

The Mexican government has announced plans to enhance security at popular tourist…
Americans among injured at shooting caught on video at tourist hot spot in Mexico

Americans Injured in Shocking Shooting at Popular Mexican Tourist Destination

Six U.S. citizens were among the wounded on Monday during a shooting…
Shocking footage shows Ukrainian drones hunting down Russian troops sneaking behind enemy lines on horseback

Unbelievable Drone Footage: Ukrainian Drones Track Russian Troops’ Stealthy Horseback Movement

In an audacious yet ill-fated attempt, a group of disheveled Russian soldiers…
DOJ charges Southern Poverty Law Center with fraud for paying white supremacist groups $3M to 'stoke racial hatred'

DOJ Accuses Southern Poverty Law Center of $3M Fraud Scheme Involving Payments to White Supremacist Groups

On Tuesday, the Department of Justice revealed that a grand jury has…
Archeologist thinks new tech might reveal where Lost Ark is hidden at last

Archaeologist Suggests Advanced Technology Could Finally Uncover Location of the Lost Ark

Calling all adventurers and history buffs—there’s a new mystery afoot that might…
Suspect allegedly guns down deputy in ambush during routine call that rocked quiet town, police say

Quiet Town Shaken: Deputy Fatally Ambushed During Routine Call, Suspect at Large

An Oklahoma sheriff’s deputy lost his life and a police chief was…
Mom of Virginia high schoolers where illegal alien allegedly groped girls outraged: 'terrifying as a parent'

Illegal Immigrant Sentenced for Groping Incident at Fairfax County High School: A Closer Look at the 360-Day Ruling

Israel Flores Ortiz, an 18-year-old undocumented immigrant, received a 360-day sentence on…
Disneynature's 'Orangutan' producer Roy Conli on finding the story and working with Josh Gad

Inside Disneynature’s ‘Orangutan’: Roy Conli Reveals Storytelling Secrets and Collaborating with Josh Gad

LOS ANGELES — In the lush canopies of Southeast Asia, a young…
Former state controller Betty Yee drops bid for California governor

Betty Yee Withdraws from California Governor Race: Former State Controller’s Surprising Exit

Betty Yee, a Democrat and former California State Controller, announced on Monday…